Winter Safety

Winter Safety

Maine Natural Gas would like to remind its customers of important safety reminders during the winter months:

Keep Natural Gas Meters Clear of Snow and Ice

Snow and ice accumulation may interfere with the operation of natural gas meters and regulators, or may slow access in case of an emergency. Snow removal activities can also pose a hazard to gas meter assemblies or piping, and result in a dangerous leak. Snow should not be pushed or piled around meters. Also, take care when operating snow blowers or plows around natural gas meters to avoid damage. Natural gas meters and regulators should be kept clear of snow and ice by using a broom or by hand – not a shovel. Should a natural gas meter become encased in ice, or begin to make an unusual noise, customers should contact Maine Natural Gas at 877.532.5636.

Watch for Falling Ice or Snow

Homeowners should be alert to potential ice build-up on rooftops. Falling ice and snow can damage utility meters or regulators. Homeowners can contact qualified roofing contractors for safe removal of snow and ice accumulation above utility meters and regulators.

Keep Appliance Vents Clear of Snow and Ice

Beware of exhaust getting trapped by snow around an appliance sidewall outside vent from a natural gas appliance. If a vent is obstructed, the appliance may shut down or malfunction and create a potentially hazardous condition, such as a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide. All equipment outside vents should be kept clear of snow and ice.

Important Winter Safety Tips

Never use your oven or range top to heat your home. Using the oven to heat a room or apartment during winter is dangerous – for two reasons.

First, leaving burner flames on and unwatched is a fire hazard.

Second, oven burners operating continuously can use up indoor oxygen and lead to the production of deadly carbon monoxide.

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FAQs

Can snow and ice create a safety problem for gas meter sets?

Yes. Snow and ice can block gas services valves and make it difficult for first responders to turn off the gas to a building in the event of a fire or gas leak. Pressure regulators and relief vents can also become blocked. If this occurs, an over-pressurization or under-pressurization could result I a hazardous condition for customers.

What should I do if I suspect a gas leak?

Use your senses to detect gas leaks. A natural gas leak is usually recognized by smell, sight, or sound. Remember, if you smell natural gas, get up, get out and call us immediately from a neighbor's phone.

Smell
Natural gas is colorless and odorless. For your safety, a distinctive, pungent odor, similar to rotten eggs, is added so that you'll recognize it quickly. Not all transmission lines are odorized.

Sight
You may see a white cloud, mist, fog, bubbles in standing water or blowing dust. You may also see vegetation that appears to be dead or dying for no apparent reason.

Sound
You may hear an unusual noise like roaring, hissing, or whistling.If you suspect a gas leak get up, go outside and call MNG from a neighbor's phone toll free at 877.532.5636 or call 911 for your local fire department. MNG will respond quickly to ensure that you and your family are safe.

Do not operate electrical switches or appliances. These items may produce a spark that might ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

Do not use a telephone.

Do not light a match or smoke and extinguish any open flames.

Do not assume someone else will report the condition.

Do not open windows and doors to ventilate the area.

Provide MNG with the exact location, including cross streets.

Let us know if sewer construction or digging activities are going on in the area.

What do I need to know about pressure regulators and relief valves?

Pressure regulators and relief valves have a pressure relief vent that must be capable of venting gas safely to open air. When a pressure regulator is located inside a building the vent must be piped to an area outside of the building so if it operates it will vent safely to free air.

Can snow and ice cause a safety problem for gas appliances?

Yes. Most natural gas equipment vent from the roof but some vent from other parts of your home, such as the sidewall. Periodically check outside your home to make sure your furnace, water heater, dryer, or fireplace vents are not blocked by snow and/or ice.